New Century Handbook : Interactive Edition User's Guide to New Century Reader

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The New Century Handbook is a comprehensive handbook and guide to the basics of writing, research, and grammar. Recognizing that the majority of college writers today use word processors and Internet information in conjunction with their composition courses, it is the first college handbook to thoroughly integrate an awareness of and instruction on the benefits of computer technology to the writing and research processes. Chapters on writing not only explain the various stages of creating a paper, but also incorporate instruction on how students can use word processors to create better developed, well-written essays. Likewise, the research section acknowledges students' varying experience with computers and the Internet, so it illustrates how to find and evaluate print and electronic sources to formulate thoughtful and carefully documented research papers. The chapters on grammar and mechanics offer a complete reference guide and include tips on how to work with grammar- and spell-checkers. As an extra benefit, packaged inside every student textbook is a FREE Interactive Edition CD-ROM a valuable resource and learning tool for students. For professors, this new CD-ROM offers a convenient way to integrate the power of the World Wide Web into their course. It brings instruction on writing, research, and grammar to a new and exciting level. The CD-ROM includes all of the pages of the book itself and four key icons to help further students' learning. With a click of the mouse, students can experience the following: Weblink icon Go directly to websites to further explore writing, research, style, and grammar issues. Audio icon Hear verbal explanations of many of the sentence examples and additional explanation on writing and research points. Video icon See students discussing issues related to the writing and research process and an instructor offering guidance on troublesome grammar problems. Interactive Exercises icon Practice grammar lessons through completing both the exercises presented in the book as well as additional exercise sets. In addition, all the cross-references in the book are hot and students can jump from one point in the book to its cross-reference through a mouse click. There is also an index of key grammar, writing, research, and computer terms from which students can instantly access instruction on the points they are looking for.

Preface

xix

Welcome to the New Century Handbook

xxvii

part one Writing

Writing and Computers

1

(8)

Why write?

2

(2)

Why write with a computer?

4

(3)

How have computers altered communication?

7

(2)

The Reading and Writing Processes

9

(11)

Think critically

10

(1)

Engage critically and actively in the reading process

11

(6)

Engage critically and actively in the writing process

17

(3)

Preparing

20

(22)

Experiment and explore

22

(5)

Invent and prewrite

27

(7)

Gather information

34

(2)

Plan and organize

36

(5)

Try computer prewriting software

41

(1)

Composing

42

(18)

Review

43

(4)

Draft

47

(3)

Collaborate

50

(2)

Try composing with a computer

52

(3)

Review a student draft

55

(5)

Rewriting

60

(28)

Shift from writer to reader

61

(5)

Revise

66

(7)

Edit

73

(4)

Proofread

77

(2)

Give and receive feedback

79

(3)

Review a model student paper

82

(6)

Structuring Paragraphs

88

(23)

Write unified paragraphs

89

(2)

Use clear organizational patterns

91

(10)

Use sentence-linking techniques

101

(3)

Be consistent with verb tense, person, and number

104

(1)

Use parallelism to make paragraphs coherent

105

(1)

Decide on appropriate paragraph length

106

(1)

Link paragraphs with key words

106

(1)

Construct effective introductory and concluding paragraphs

107

(4)

Formulating Arguments

111

(24)

Formulate an arguable thesis

112

(4)

Generate good supporting evidence

116

(3)

Take note of evidence for alternative views

119

(2)

Develop and test the main points

121

(3)

Build a compelling case

124

(3)

Structure the argument

127

(4)

Avoid logical and emotional fallacies

131

(4)

part two Research

The Research Project

135

(32)

Become a researcher

136

(6)

Schedule a time frame

142

(1)

Create a research notebook

143

(4)

Create a working bibliography

147

(2)

Gather background information

149

(7)

Conduct focused research

156

(11)

Using the Internet for Research

167

(18)

Use Internet sources throughout the research process

168

(1)

Get to know the Internet and the Web

169

(2)

Search the Internet and the Web

171

(9)

Follow a student Internet search

180

(5)

Evaluating Electronic and Print Sources

185

(13)

Choose legitimate sources

186

(6)

Follow a student's evaluation of Web links

192

(6)

Using Sources

198

(17)

Use sources responsibly

198

(5)

Quote sources sparingly

203

(4)

Paraphrase sources accurately

207

(3)

Summarize sources briefly

210

(5)

Writing the Research Paper

215

(31)

Review the rhetorical stance and thesis

216

(3)

Plan a structure

219

(1)

Write a draft

220

(3)

Review and revise the draft

223

(1)

Follow formatting conventions

224

(3)

Review an annotated student research paper

227

(19)

Documentation Formats

246

(67)

Document by using the MLA system

248

(31)

Document by using the APA system

279

(17)

Document by using the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) system

296

(7)

Document by using the CBE system

303

(7)

Consult the style manual for the appropriate discipline

310

(3)

part three Writing in the Disciplines

Writing in the Humanities

313

(27)

Know the different types of writing in the humanities

314

(1)

Write interpretively or analytically about literature

315

(5)

Review some model student papers

320

(13)

Look to the Internet and traditional materials for resources

333

(7)

Writing in the Natural Sciences

340

(26)

Know the different types of writing in the natural sciences

341

(2)

Write objectively about science

343

(1)

Review a sample research report in CBE format

344

(12)

Look to the Internet and traditional materials for resources

356

(10)

Writing in the Social Sciences

366

(21)

Know the different types of writing in the social sciences

367

(1)

Write persuasively about social science

368

(2)

Review a sample research report in APA format

370

(10)

Look to the Internet and traditional materials for resources

380

(7)

part four Document Design

Design Principles and Graphics

387

(19)

Follow the three basic design principles

388

(3)

Use formatting tools

391

(7)

Use graphics

398

(7)

Respect different norms and preferences

405

(1)

Desktop Publishing

406

(15)

Produce a simple brochure

407

(7)

Produce a simple newsletter

414

(7)

Designing for the Web

421

(12)

Generate a basic design for the Web

422

(2)

Plan your Web document

424

(9)

Writing for the Web

433

(24)

Construct the individual Web pages

434

(1)

Use HTML to embed codes

435

(19)

Refine your Web site

454

(2)

Transfer your site to an Internet server

456

(1)

part five Special Purpose Writing

Communicating via Computer Networks

457

(15)

Log on to networks

457

(9)

Build community through electronic mail

466

(6)

Business Correspondence and Reports

472

(19)

Write concise and professional business letters

473

(2)

Write specifically tailored letters of application

475

(1)

Write densely but appropriately packed resumes

476

(8)

Write clearly organized reports

484

(4)

Write focused memos

488

(3)

Essay Exams

491

(10)

Prepare for an essay exam

491

(5)

Attend to the writing process

496

(2)

Review sample student responses to an essay exam question

498

(3)

part six Sentence Grammar

Sentence Structure

501

(21)

Learn to identify parts of speech

501

(9)

Learn to identify basic sentence patterns

510

(4)

Learn to expand sentences

514

(5)

Learn how to classify sentences

519

(3)

Pronoun Case

522

(8)

Use the subjective case when a pronoun functions as a sentence subject, clause subject, or subject complement

523

(1)

Use the objective case when a pronoun functions as an object

524

(1)

Test for pronoun case in compound constructions by using the pronoun alone

524

(2)

Choose the form for an interrogative or relative pronoun based on how it functions in its clause

526

(2)

Use possessive pronouns to show ownership

528

(1)

Choose the case for a pronoun in a comparison based on how it would function in its own clause

528

(2)

Verbs

530

(20)

Learn the regular verb forms

530

(2)

Learn common irregular verb forms

532

(3)

Know how to use auxiliary verbs

535

(2)

Learn the verb tenses

537

(4)

Observe sequence of tenses

541

(3)

Use transitive and intransitive verbs correctly

544

(1)

Favor active over passive voice

545

(2)

Make sure verbs are in the proper mood

547

(3)

Agreement

550

(8)

Make verbs agree in number with their grammatical subjects

550

(4)

Make pronouns agree in number and gender with their antecedents

554

(4)

Adjectives and Adverbs

558

(7)

Use adjectives to modify nouns

558

(1)

Avoid overuse of nouns as modifiers

559

(1)

Use adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, and clauses

560

(1)

Be aware of some commonly confused adjectives and adverbs

560

(1)

Use comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs correctly

561

(3)

Avoid double negatives

564

(1)

part seven Correct Sentences

Sentence Fragments

565

(7)

Make sentences grammatically complete

566

(1)

Connect dependent clauses

567

(1)

Connect phrases

568

(2)

Use sentence fragments only for special effect

570

(2)

Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences

572

(5)

Turn one clause into a subordinate clause

573

(1)

Separate clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction

574

(1)

Separate independent clauses with a semicolon

574

(1)

Separate independent clauses with a period

575

(2)

Pronoun Reference

577

(5)

Refer to a specific noun antecedent

577

(2)

Avoid vague use of this, that, which, and it

579

(1)

Avoid mixed uses of it

580

(1)

Be consistent with use of that, which, and who

580

(2)

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

582

(6)

Position modifiers close to the words they modify

582

(1)

Avoid ambiguity

583

(1)

Try to put lengthy modifiers at the beginning or end

584

(1)

Avoid disruptive modifiers

584

(2)

Avoid dangling modifiers

586

(2)

Consistency

588

(7)

Avoid unnecessary shifts in person and number

588

(1)

Avoid unnecessary shifts in verb tense, mood, and subject

589

(2)

Avoid shifts in tone

591

(1)

Avoid mixed constructions

592

(1)

Create consistency between subjects and predicates

593

(1)

Avoid unmarked shifts between direct and indirect discourse

594

(1)

part eight Effective Sentences

Clarity and Conciseness

595

(10)

Avoid excessively long sentences

595

(1)

Avoid unnecessary repetition and redundancy

596

(1)

Use expletives only where appropriate

597

(1)

Use passive voice only where appropriate

597

(1)

Eliminate wordy phrases

598

(1)

Avoid a noun-heavy style

599

(2)

Choose words that express your meaning precisely

601

(1)

Use that to clarify sentence structure

601

(1)

Make comparisons complete and clear

602

(1)

Avoid multiple negation

603

(2)

Coordination and Subordination

605

(6)

Look for a way to combine closely related sentences

605

(2)

Coordinate related sentences of equal value

607

(1)

Subordinate less important ideas

607

(4)

Parallelism

611

(10)

Put parallel content in parallel form

612

(3)

Make all items in a list or series parallel

615

(1)

Use parallelism with correlative conjunctions

615

(1)

Use parallelism for comparisons or contrasts

616

(1)

Make parallel constructions complete and clear

617

(1)

Use parallelism to enhance coherence

618

(3)

Emphasis

621

(6)

Create emphasis through end-weight

621

(1)

Create emphasis through selective repetition

622

(1)

Create emphasis through contrast

623

(1)

Create emphasis through careful word choice

624

(1)

Create emphasis through punctuation or typography

625

(2)

Variety

627

(8)

Vary sentence length

627

(2)

Vary sentence structure

629

(1)

Avoid excessive repetition

630

(3)

Respect different standards and purposes

633

(2)

Word-Processing Tools and Online Resources for Improving Sentences

635

(8)

Use a style/grammar checker

636

(3)

Use style templates

639

(1)

Use other applications for sentence revision

640

(2)

Consult Internet resources for writing help

642

(1)

part nine Effective Words

Choosing the Right Words

643

(13)

Choose the right denotation

643

(3)

Choose the right connotation

646

(1)

Find the right level of formality

647

(2)

Avoid jargon, slang, or dialect

649

(1)

Avoid pretentiousness

650

(2)

Try to please the ear

652

(1)

Use figurative language

652

(4)

Avoiding Biased Language

656

(6)

Avoid biased gender references

656

(3)

Avoid biased language about race and ethnicity

659

(1)

Avoid biased language about age

660

(1)

Avoid biased language about other differences

660

(2)

Building a Powerful Vocabulary

662

(9)

Learn roots, prefixes, and suffixes

663

(4)

Learn denotations and connotations

667

(1)

Learn related words

668

(3)

Using a Thesaurus and Dictionary

671

(10)

Use a thesaurus to find the exact word

672

(4)

Use a dictionary to learn about words

676

(5)

Spelling

681

(14)

Use a spell checker

681

(2)

Master troublesome homophones

683

(4)

Guard against common spelling errors

687

(2)

Learn general spelling rules and patterns

689

(6)

part ten Punctuation

End Punctuation

695

(7)

The Period

Use a period to mark the end of a statement

696

(1)

Use periods to punctuate initials and many abbreviations

696

(1)

Use periods to mark basic divisions in units and computer names

696

(1)

Avoid common misuses of periods

697

(1)

The Question Mark

Use a question mark after a direct request

698

(1)

Do not use a question mark after an indirect question

699

(1)

The Exclamation Point

Use an exclamation point to signal a strong statement

699

(3)

The Comma

702

(13)

Use a comma to set off an introductory phrase or clause

703

(1)

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction to separate independent clauses

704

(1)

Use commas between items in a series

705

(1)

Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives

705

(1)

Use commas to set off nonessential phrases or clauses

705

(3)

Use commas to set off conjunctive adverbs

708

(1)

Use commas with dates, place names and addresses, titles and degrees, and numbers

708

(1)

Use commas with speaker tags

709

(1)

Use commas with markers of direct address

710

(1)

Avoid misuse of commas

711

(4)

The Semicolon

715

(4)

Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses not linked by a coordinating conjunction

715

(1)

Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses linked by a conjunctive adverb

716

(1)

Use semicolons in a series with internal punctuation

716

(1)

Place semicolons outside quotation marks

716

(1)

Avoid common semicolon errors

717

(2)

The Colon

719

(4)

Use a colon to introduce a list or appositive

719

(1)

Use a colon to set off a second independent clause that explains the first

720

(1)

Use a colon to introduce a quotation

720

(1)

Use colons in titles

721

(1)

Use colons in business letters and memos

721

(1)

Use colons in numbers and addresses

721

(2)

The Apostrophe

723

(5)

Use apostrophes with nouns to indicate possession

723

(2)

Use apostrophes to indicate contractions and omitted letters

725

(1)

Use apostrophes to mark certain plural forms

726

(1)

Avoid misusing the apostrophe

726

(2)

Quotation Marks

728

(7)

Use quotation marks for exact direct quotations

728

(1)

Use quotation marks to suggest skepticism about a term

729

(1)

Use quotation marks to indicate shifts of register

730

(1)

Use quotation marks when citing titles of short works

730

(1)

Follow standard practice in using other punctuation with quotations

731

(2)

Avoid misusing quotation marks

733

(2)

Other Punctuation Marks

735

(12)

Parentheses

Use parentheses to insert parenthetical comments

736

(1)

Do not overuse parentheses

737

(1)

Use parentheses around letters or numbers to set off embedded lists

737

(1)

Dashes

Use dashes to highlight extra informational comments

738

(1)

Use dashes to set off important or surprising points

739

(1)

Confine yourself to one pair of dashes per sentence

739

(2)

Brackets

Use brackets to insert editorial comments or clarifications into quotations

741

(1)

Use brackets with the word sic

742

(1)

Use brackets to acknowledge editorial emphasis within a quotation

742

(1)

Use brackets for parenthetical comments within parentheses

743

(1)

Ellipses

Use an ellipsis to indicate a deletion from a quotation

743

(1)

Use an ellipsis to indicate a pause in sentence

744

(1)

Slashes

Use slashes to separate lines of poetry quoted within a sentence

744

(1)

Use a slash to show alternatives

745

(1)

Use a slash to indicate a fraction

745

(1)

Use slashes in Internet addresses

745

(1)

Use slashes in writing dates informally

746

(1)

part eleven Mechanics

Capital Letters and Italics

747

(10)

Capital Letters

Capitalize the first word of all free-standing sentences

747

(2)

Capitalize all names, associated titles, and proper adjectives

749

(2)

Capitalize all significant words in titles

751

(1)

Follow the owner's preferences in capitalizing email addresses and URLs

751

(2)

Italics

Italicize titles of independent creative works

753

(1)

Italicize URLs and email addresses

753

(1)

Italicize names of vehicles

754

(1)

Italicize foreign words and phrases

754

(1)

Italicize words, letters, and numbers referred to as such

755

(1)

Italicize words for emphasis

755

(2)

Abbreviations and Numbers

757

(7)

Abbreviations

Abbreviate titles, ranks, and degrees only before or after full names

758

(1)

Use abbreviations after numerical dates and times

758

(1)

Use Latin abbreviations sparingly

759

(1)

Use acronyms and initialisms only if their meaning is clear

759

(1)

Avoid most other abbreviations in formal writing

760

(1)

Numbers

Use figures with abbreviations and conventionally numerical references

761

(1)

Write out other numbers that can be expressed in one or two words

762

(1)

Write out numbers that begin sentences

762

(1)

When one number modifies another, write one as a figure and the other as a word

763

(1)

Write related numbers alike

763

(1)

The Hyphen

764

(7)

Consult your dictionary on hyphenating compounds

764

(1)

Hyphenate compounds acting as adjectives before nouns

765

(1)

Hyphenate spelled-out fractions and numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine

766

(1)

Hyphenate to avoid ambiguity and awkward spellings

766

(1)

Use hyphens for end-of-line word division

766

(5)

part twelve ESL Issues

Tips on Nouns and Articles

771

(8)

Use the plural only with count nouns

771

(2)

Use the for specific references

773

(3)

Use the with most proper nouns derived from common nouns

776

(1)

Use a or an in nonspecific references to singular count nouns

777

(1)

Use no article in nonspecific references to plural count nouns or noncount nouns

777

(2)

Tips on Verbs

779

(11)

Phrasal Verbs

Note phrasal verbs as you listen and read

780

(2)

Verb Complements

Learn which verbs take gerunds as complements

782

(1)

Learn which verbs take to infinitives as complements

783

(1)

Learn which verbs take both gerunds and to infinitives as complements

783

(1)

Learn which verbs take only unmarked infinitives as complements

784

(1)

Verbs of State

Do not use the progressive tense with verbs of state

785

(1)

Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Use only a base verb form immediately after a modal auxiliary

786

(1)

Do not use more than one modal at a time

787

(1)

Conditional Sentences

In factual conditionals, use the same verb tense in both parts

788

(1)

In predictive conditionals, use a present-tense verb in the if clause and an appropriate modal in the result clause

788

(1)

In hypothetical conditionals, use a past-tense verb in the if clause and would, could, or might in the result clause